A barista class in action (Photo: Joe Ross via Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0)
If you’re a freelancer looking for a side hustle, then you might want to consider becoming a barista – and there are several London-based courses available to help you do just that.
One of the appealing things about life as a freelancer with multiple clients is that often your day can look completely different from the last. One day you’re slogging away on the laptop and the next you’re…learning how to pull the perfect espresso? If that sounds like a skill you’d like to acquire, check out our list below of some of the best barista training courses currently on offer in the capital.
Barista Beginner Masterclass
This one-day, practical course is aimed at complete beginners, home enthusiasts or anyone eyeing up barista work. It gives you the basic techniques for setting your machine and grinder, alongside training on espresso machine use, milk texturing and drinks preparation. The course is split into a morning session focused on theory and knowledge development, followed by an afternoon session covering practical skills. From £199 per person.
Barista Foundation Course
Another one-day course, your group will be limited to 8 participants as you explore the journey of the bean from the farm to the cup with a trainer boasting over a decade of experience. You’ll learn the layout of the espresso machine and grinder, and there’ll also be instruction on the essential cleaning and maintenance routines required to keep your coffee-making equipment functioning correctly and the coffee tasting its best. All skill levels are welcome on the course. From £225 per person.
Basic Barista Course
Ideal for those short on time or budget, this 2.5-hour course is aimed at anyone hoping to work as a barista, open a café or simply get more confident making proper coffee. Based in the East End, it covers the full range of coffees you’d expect to make on a commercial machine, from espressos and lattes to cappuccinos and flat whites. You’ll also learn about grinder settings, espresso extraction times, tamping, milk steaming, cleaning and machine maintenance. A pocket Barista Manual is included, with certificates posted the week after the course. From £99.95 per person.
SCA Barista Skills Intermediat
Accredited by the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), a globally recognised coffee industry body, this course is for those with genuine ambitions of rising up the barista ranks. Available to anyone, with no prior experience required, the one-day course at Scoresby Street coffee shop in Southwark will see you learn how to set your grinder, the foundations of espresso brewing, basic milk texturing, basic daily equipment care, and the green and roasted coffee principle. From £300 per person.
Private Barista Course
If you’re looking for something more intensive, this five-day course from the European Bartender School is open to all-comers. The hands-on programme covers everything from coffee equipment, roasting methods and coffee history to AeroPress, Chemex, V60, French Press and latte art. You’ll also get into the more business-minded aspects of the barista world, including workflow, costs and customer service. The course ends with theory and practical tests, with successful students receiving an EBS certificate. Price available on request.